The Importance Of The Watts Community

Theorist Roland Warren identified five locality relevant functions which a community must have to survive. The first function is production-distribution-consumption states that a community can not survive if it does not provide a way for people to make a living. The Watts community had no thriving businesses to bring about economic growth. There were no available instItutions to help with resources. Residents who traveled by bus had to wait 2 hours or more. There was no trust between the citizens and police officers. The second function is socialization involves a society, or one of its unit transmitting knowledge values, and behaviors patterns to other members of the group (Kirst-Ashman, 2014). Education is an example of socialization. The …show more content…
“Power is the ability to move people on a chosen course to produce an effect or achieve some goal (Kirst-Ashman, 2014, p. 68). Numerous institutions possessed the power over the Watts Community. Thet local Los Angeles City Council undoubtedly held the power. They authorize resources and budgets within a community. Other people who hold the power are politicians, government, and developers who control the land. According to Kirst-Ashman (2014) information, high status, wealth, laws and policies, and connections hold the power within communities. There are two theories used to analyze power, conflict theory, and empowerment …show more content…
The wealthier groups used their power to exploit. Conflict theorist, believe “certain groups of people are privileged while others are disadvantaged through the unjust us of political, economic, or world power” (Kirst-Ashman, p.345). This theory looks at ways in which people use power to resist or create change. Empowerment theory is the process of increasing personal power so that individuals can take action to improve their life situations (Kirst-Ashman, 2014). There are other dimensions regarding how the empowerment theory applies to groups, for example, social justice, consciousness raising, and mutual aid.
As far as social justice, in a perfect world, all citizens would have the same rights, protection, and opportunities. The reality is that society is structured that groups are denied rights and resources. However, communities can join and advocate for positive changes. Another dimension is conscious raising, which is the process of enhancing people’s awareness of the issues faced. The goal is to help people identify and bring attention to social injustice. Conscious raising strengthens individuals to identify with their rights and influence policy so that they can access resources they need (Kirst-Ashman,